Snetterton

Snetterton is a premier motorsport venue in Norfolk, England, with a history that spans more than seven decades. The circuit sits on the site of the former RAF Snetterton Heath, which served as a United States Army Air Force base during World War II. MotorSport Vision (MSV) now owns and operates this facility, which has become one of Britain's most important racing venues. The circuit underwent a major transformation in 2010 and 2011, creating a modern multi-configuration facility that serves professional racing teams, club racers, and testing operations.

Historical Development

The Aston Martin Owner's Club organized the first race at Snetterton in 1951, using the airfield's runways to create a racing circuit. The airfield had closed in 1948, and motorsport gave the site new purpose. The circuit officially opened in 1953 and was named after the nearby village of Snetterton. The original layout measured 2.71 miles before track modifications in the 1970s shortened it to just under two miles. Snetterton hosted non-championship Formula 1 races during the 1960s, including the Lombank Trophy events. The circuit also hosted the first four Formula Ford Festival races. In 1980, Snetterton made history by hosting the Willhire 24 Hour, which became the UK's first 24-hour race. This endurance event continued until 1994 and established Snetterton as a key venue for long-distance racing.

Track Layouts

Snetterton offers three distinct circuits that can accommodate different types of racing and testing. The Snetterton 300 is the main circuit, measuring 3 miles (4.778 km) in length with 12 corners. This configuration ranks as the second-longest racing track in the UK. The layout combines the original airfield circuit with a new infield section that opened in 2011. The Snetterton 200 measures 2 miles (3.219 km) and features 8 corners. This layout preserves the character of the original airfield circuit and serves club racing and local events. The Snetterton 100 is the shortest option at 0.98 miles (1.577 km) with 5 corners. This circuit uses only the infield section and primarily supports testing and racing schools. The 200 and 100 circuits can operate simultaneously, allowing the venue to host multiple events at once.

Technical Characteristics

The Snetterton 300 circuit features 7 right-hand corners and 5 left-hand corners. The layout includes high-speed straights such as the Bentley Straight and Revett Straight (also called Senna Straight). These long straights allow cars to reach high speeds before braking for technical corners. Key corners like Riches, Palmer, and Coram demand precision and skill from drivers. The circuit features changes in elevation that add difficulty to the driving experience. Drivers must anticipate these elevation changes and adjust their approach accordingly. The high speeds on the straights require precise braking for successful corner entries. Felipe Nasr set the fastest lap on the current 300 circuit in 2011 with a time of 1:39.933.

Major Racing Events

Snetterton hosts rounds of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB), British Truck Racing, and British GT Championship. These events use the full 300 circuit. The venue also welcomes historic racing events and club-level competitions for cars and motorcycles. The 2025 calendar includes the British Superbike Championship in June, the British Touring Car Championship in May, and the British GT Championship in July. The circuit serves as a popular testing facility for professional racing teams and car manufacturers.

Notable Connections

Ayrton Senna lived near Snetterton while racing for the Van Diemen team early in his career. Martin Brundle considers Snetterton his home track. In 2016, the circuit renamed the Montreal hairpin to Wilson, honoring British IndyCar driver Justin Wilson. Many corner names reference motorsport legends. Parts of the original circuit still exist, including the Norfolk Straight, which now hosts a Sunday market. Raised viewing banks provide excellent spectator vantage points across the circuit.